EVEN though Sen. Cynthia Villar drew flak over her suggestion to ban unlimited rice in restaurants, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 7 is in favor of limiting the public’s rice consumption.
Dr. Parolita Mission, NNC 7 nutrition program coordinator, encourages the reduction of rice intake, saying that the over-consumption of rice is one of the causes of health and economic problems.
Mission said that the required rice intake for adults (19 to 59 years old) is one and a half cup per meal for males and one cup per meal for females.
She said that eating too much rice is one of the main causes of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and diet-related concerns.
Mission said that eating too much rice also limits the variety of food that the body needs.
She encouraged the public instead to eat corn and root crops like sweet potato and taro.
Not only are corn and root crops considered great sources of fiber but patronizing them will also help support farmers, Mission added.
She also said that eating rice alternatives can lower the country’s demand for rice, which is being bought outside the country.
Mission, however, clarified that she doesn’t support a ban on unlimited rice but more on regulating one’s rice consumption.